In brief
Brussels extended the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM) until 2028 with a €300 million budget and announced that it will set up an official EU presence on Ukrainian soil. Over 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have already been trained through the mission, a figure highlighted by the EU and confirmed on its Facebook page. The move has met praise from Kyiv and criticism from Moscow, with Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova denouncing the decision as reckless.
On 10 November, Brussels announced that the European Union Military Assistance Mission in Ukraine (EUMAM) will establish an official military presence on Ukrainian territory for the first time, after a strategic review of the mission (TASS).
The Council extended the mandate of EUMAM until 15 November 2028, approved a €300 million budget, and said the new presence will enable “direct and effective coordination” with the Ukrainian Armed Forces and like‑minded international partners (TASS).
Since its launch in 2022, the mission has trained more than 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers, a figure confirmed by the EU Council’s Facebook post and quoted by TASS (TASS; EU Council Facebook).
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has welcomed the expansion, saying the mission will help tailor training to the army’s needs, although a direct quote is not yet available.
Russian reaction
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticised the expansion, describing the EU as “recklessly, utterly senselessly, and thoughtlessly” and accusing it of preparing for war against Russia (TASS).
Thus, while the EU confirms the establishment of a formal presence and outlines its budget and training achievements, the Kremlin’s statement remains an unconfirmed assessment of the policy’s implications.
